Method of making a cuff link action component



Sept. 28, 1965 E. GAY, JR 3,208,313

METHOD OF MAKING A CUFF LINK ACTION COMPONENT Filed Aug. 27, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F I 6 INVENTOR. EDWARD LGAY, JR.

ATTOR N EY Sept. 28, 1965 E. L. GAY, JR 3,

METHOD OF MAKING A CUFF LINK ACTION COMPONENT Filed Aug. 27, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 44 ZZFIGIZ g INVENTOR.

EDWARD LISAY, JR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,208,313 METHOD OF MAKING A CUFF LINK ACTION COMPONENT Edward L. Gay, In, 156 Turner Ave, (Zranston, RI. Filed Aug. 27, 1962,8er. No. 219,634 1 Claim. (Cl. 79--3) The present invention relates to improvements in cuff link action components and an improved method of making the same.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of making cuff link action components wherein a shell is formed for a pivot head by a novel deep drawing operation whereby a seamless shell is formed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of making a cuff link pivot head assembly wherein the shell is deep formed to include a feathered edge which can be utilized to provide a rolled retainer for a closure shell along substantially the entire length of the periphery thereof.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of making a deep drawn shell for a pivot head wherein the cross bar slots are preformed prior to the deep drawing of the shell so as to minimize the working operations.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved cuff link pivot head assembly which eliminates the need for fold over end tabs to retain the closure plate on the shell and which provides a finished look on both sides of the head.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved cuff link pivot head wherein the closure plate is retained within the shell by a rolled-over feathered edge of the shell whereby a longer, stronger holding means is provided than was possible in prior arrangements.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved cuff link action assembly and method of making the same wherein a minimum waste of stock is involved so as to be especially useful where precious metals are being used.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description to follow.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a blank comprising the initial element in the forming method;

FIGURE 2 shows the blank of FIGURE 1 just after initiation of the forming step;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the partially formed shell in which the forming has progressed slightly further;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 after still further forming wherein the severing of the excess material is initiating;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of the completely formed shell;

FIGURE 6 is a view taken substantially along the plane of line 66 in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a bottom plan view of an assembled cuff link action;

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of the action of FIG- URE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view of the assembled action;

FIGURE 10 is a vertical section view taken substantially along the plane of line 10-l0 in FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view showing the forming tools in somewhat diagrammatic fashion; and

FIGURE 12 is an elevational view showing further de tails of the tools that can be utilized, parts being shown in section.

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Referring more particularly to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout and looking first at FIGURE 1, it will be seen that initially a blank 10 is to be formed. The blank 10 is of critical design such that a perfect shell piece can be formed without orange peel fractures, thin or thick spots, and with a minimum waste of stock. The blank 10 is formed to a generally elongated oval shape with a pair of transversely disposed slots at 12, 14. The latter slots are generally V- shaped With a slight radius at the inner ends thereof. By way of example, the stock can be .010" sterling silver. The periphery of the blank is scalloped throughout its length for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

Reference is now had to FIGURES 11 and 12. As there shown, a tool 16 is provided which includes a base plate 18 formed with a shallow recess 20 conforming substantially exactly to the exterior shape of the blank 10 above described. Centrally of the recess and spaced from the scalloped periphery a seat 22 is provided. The seat 22 is slightly dished, elongated and substantially pointed at its ends so as to conform to the shape of top wall desired to be formed in the shell. The seat is flush with the bottom of the recess as shown in FIGURE 12 in full lines. The seat can be spring loaded as at 24-.

A movable head 26 is mounted over and in alignment with the seat 22. The head has its lower end 28 exactly conforming to the desired interior of the shell to be formed with a slight flaring at 30 for a purpose to be described. Any suitable operating means can be provided for reciprocating the head, automatic or manual, as will be obvious to one skilled in the art. On opposite sides of the head are the wiper blades 32, 34- which are carried by the posts 36, 33 so as to be in close cooperation with the movable head to remove a finished shell as will now be described.

The blank 10 is positioned in the recess 20 over the seat 22 and beneath the head 26. The head is downwardly moved and the head forming portion 28 squeezes the blank 10 against the seat. This forms the top wall of the shell which is as shown in FIGURE 2 at 40. The remainder of the blank begins to be folded upwardly at the periphery of the top wall as seen at 4-2. Upon further relative movement between the head and recess 20, the seat 22 is depressed into the well 4 3. The space between the head forming portion 28 and the well 44 is such that the stock of the blank must thin from the thickness of the top wall 40. The reduction amounts to a drop of about .003 on the above mentioned stock. The head, on continued movement forms the side wall 46 vertically in the well and substantially perpendicularly of the periphery of the top wall. The stock is cold formed and the scalloped edge portion allows free flow of the metal so no fractures or unevenness occurs.

When the flare at 30 meets the edge 48 at the well, the stock is thinned still further to a feathered edge as shown in FIGURE 6 at 50 and the excess material including the scalloped edge is severed to complete the shell 52. The slots 12, 14 now form the perfect aligned cross-bar-receiving slots 54 without further cutting or forming.

As seen in FIGURES 7-10, a suitable yoke 56 including the usual cross-bar 58 of a square crosssection is provided and the cross-bar 58 is engaged in the slots 54. Where an inner spring is used, this is first inserted into the shell 52 as is well known. Next the closure plate 60 is engaged Within the periphery of the shell at the feathered edge 50 and the latter is rolled over as shown at 62 in FIGURE 10 to form a continuous holding means along substantially the entire length of the periphery of the closure plate. The holding edge 62 is narrow and therefore attractive, but because of its length it is exceedingly strong, even more so than the usual end tabs used heretofore.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that a deep drawn shell can be formed with no seams at the ends or elsewhere. An appealing design shape which can be easily inserted through cuff holes is provided. Also, both sides of the action are attractive and finished in appearance. It is stronger than prior designs yet cheaper to completely assemble.

Accordingly, the objects hereinbefore listed are believed to have been fulfilled.

As the invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claim rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claim or that form their functional as Well as conjointly cooperative equivalents, are therefore intended to be embraced by this claim.

I claim:

A method of making a cuff link action shell component comprising the steps stamping a blank to generally oval shape with a pair of transversely disposed slots opening out at the medial edges thereof and with the remaining edge portions scalloped, placing said blank in a press having a recess conforming in outline to the blank outline with a movable central seat defining a shell top wall and having a head, pressing the head and seat together so as to clamp the central, top wall-forming portion of the blank therebetween, moving the head, blank and seat relative to the surrounding recess so as to reduce the thickness of the blank surrounding the top Wall and to form a side wall extending generally perpendicularly from the top Wall and throughout the periphery thereof, and further thinning the side wall just inside the scalloped edge to sever the scalloped edge and form a feathered edge.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,148,317 7/15 Herzog 793 1,170,064 2/16 Herzog 793 1,340,515 5/20 Anderson. 2,472,958 6/49 Oldak 2497 2,519,821 8/50 Burr 24-97 2,611,475 9/52 Slater 113-42 X 2,988,032 6/61 Voissem 113l5 3,058,195 10/62 Ericsson 11351 X FOREIGN PATENTS 121,153 3/46 Australia.

274 1852 Great Britain.

r FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

DONLEY J. STOCKING, Examiner. 

